Arrangement of containers in a carton

A package comprising a carton and an arrangement of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a first panel and a second panel disposed opposite to one another. The arrangement can comprise a number of rows of containers disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton. The arrangement can include at least a first row and a second row extending along the respective first and second panels. A load width of the arrangement can be less than the number of rows multiplied by a first difference between the diameter of the containers approximately an eighth of an inch, and the load width can be greater than the number of rows multiplied by a second difference between the diameter and approximately a half of an inch.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/148,189, filed May 6, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/179,446, filed May 7, 2015. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/718,361, filed May 21, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/997,147, filed May 22, 2014. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/718,361 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/286,343, filed May 23, 2014, which claims the benefit of 61/855,819, filed on May 24, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/956,388, filed Jun. 7, 2013. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/097,618, filed Apr. 13, 2016, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/286,343, filed May 23, 2014, which claims the benefit of 61/855,819, filed on May 24, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/956,388, filed Jun. 7, 2013.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/148,189, which was filed May 6, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/097,618, which was filed Apr. 13, 2016, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/718,361, which was filed May 21, 2015, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/286,343, which was filed May 23, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/179,446, which was filed May 7, 2015, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/997,147, which was filed May 22, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/956,388, which was filed Jun. 7, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/855,819, which was filed on May 24, 2013, are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if presented herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to arrangements of containers contained in cartons, trays, and/or other constructs. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to nested arrangements of containers.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In general, one aspect of the disclosure is generally directed to a package comprising a carton and an arrangement of containers. The carton can comprise a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a first panel and a second panel disposed opposite to one another. The arrangement can comprise a number of rows of containers disposed at least partially in the interior of the carton. The number of rows in the arrangement can comprise a plurality of rows comprising at least a first row extending along the first panel and a second row extending along the second panel. Each container in the arrangement can comprise a diameter. The arrangement can comprise a load width extending from an outermost edge of the first row to an outermost edge of the second row, the load width can be less than the number of rows multiplied by a first difference determined by subtracting approximately an eighth of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement, and the load width can be greater than the number of rows multiplied by a second difference determined by subtracting approximately a half of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement.

In another aspect, the disclosure is generally directed to a method comprising obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels can comprise at least a first panel and a second panel disposed opposite to one another. The method further can comprise obtaining a plurality of containers, each container in the plurality of containers comprising a diameter. The method also can comprise forming an arrangement by positioning the containers into a number of rows, the number of rows in the arrangement comprising a plurality of rows. The positioning the containers into the number of rows can comprise forming at least a first row and a second row. The forming the arrangement can comprise forming a load width of the arrangement, wherein the load width can extend from an outermost edge of the first row to an outermost edge of the second row. The load width can be less than the number of rows multiplied by a first difference determined by subtracting approximately an eighth of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement, and the load width can be greater than the number of rows multiplied by a second difference determined by subtracting approximately a half of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement. Additionally, the method can comprise loading the arrangement at least partially into the interior of the carton so that the first row extends along the first panel and the second row extends along the second panel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated advantages and other advantages and benefits of various additional embodiments reading the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side views of containers according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C are schematic top views of an arrangement of the containers of FIG. 1A according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic top views of an alternative arrangement of the containers.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the arrangement of containers of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5 is an end view of an open-ended carton for holding the arrangement of containers of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the loading of the arrangement of containers of FIG. 4 into the open-ended carton of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the open-ended carton of FIG. 5 loaded with the containers according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the erected carton with closed ends according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of an arrangement of the containers of FIG. 1A according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the loading of the arrangement of containers of FIG. 10 into an open-ended carton.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the open-ended carton of FIG. 11 loaded with the containers according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the erected carton with closed ends according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a schematic top view of an alternative arrangement of the containers of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of an arrangement of the containers of FIG. 1A according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show various perspective views of article arrangements that can be used with various embodiments of the disclosure or alternative embodiments of the disclosure.

Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numbers throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure generally relates to arrangements of articles such as containers, bottles, cans, etc. that can be contained in cartons. The articles can be used for packaging food and beverage products, for example. The articles can be made from materials suitable in composition for packaging the particular food or beverage item, and the materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum and/or other metals; glass; plastics such as PET, LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, EVOH, and Nylon; and the like, or any combination thereof.

Cartons according to the present disclosure can accommodate articles of any shape. For the purpose of illustration and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the disclosure, the following detailed description describes beverage containers (e.g., glass beverage bottles or aluminum cans) as disposed in certain nested arrangements that can be disposed within carton embodiments. In this specification, the terms “inner,” “outer,” “lower,” “bottom,” “upper,” and “top” indicate orientations determined in relation to fully erected and upright cartons.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary containers (e.g., a can C and a bottle B, respectively) that can be arranged according to aspects of the disclosure. In one embodiment, the can C can be generally cylindrical and the bottle B can have a wide bottom portion and a narrow upper portion or neck. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the containers C, B can have a respective height HC, HB and a respective characteristic dimension or diameter DC, DB. In one embodiment, the characteristic diameters DC, DB are the largest diameters for the respective containers C, B. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameters DC, DB are in the range of approximately 1 inch to 4 inches or of approximately 2 inches to 3 inches (e.g., the diameter DC can be approximately 2.6 inches and the diameter DB can be approximately 2.4 inches). Alternatively, the containers C, B can have any suitable diameter and any suitable height. The embodiments discussed below generally reference containers C (e.g., the can C of FIG. 1A); however, the containers described below generally can be cans C, bottles B, and/or any other suitable container.

As shown for example in FIGS. 2A-3C, the containers C can be disposed in a nested arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C can be positioned in a single layer in a “nested” (e.g., an “internal” or “inverted” nested) arrangement 100 having two outer rows R1, R2 of four containers per row and an inner row R2 of three containers (e.g., in a 4×3×4 arrangement) as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. Similarly, the containers C can be disposed in a single layer in an external (or “fully”) nested arrangement 100′ having two outer rows R1′, R3′ with three containers per row and an inner row R2′ with four containers (e.g., in a 3×4×3 arrangement) as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal nested arrangement 100 of FIGS. 2A-2B can have one more container in the outermost rows R1, R3 than the inner row R2. In general, an internal nesting arrangement can have one or more interior rows of containers C that are generally shorter than the outer rows of containers. For example, the outer rows R1, R3 could have more containers each than one or more inner row(s) R2 respectively nested with the outer rows. Exemplary variations could include outer row(s) R1, R3 having eight containers each and an inner row R2 having seven containers, outer rows R1, R3 having five containers each and an inner row R2 having four containers, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the external nested arrangement 100′ of FIGS. 3A-3C can have one fewer container in each of the outermost rows R1′, R3′ than the inner row R2′. In general, an external nesting arrangement can have outermost rows of containers C that are generally shorter than one or more interior rows of containers. For example, the outer rows R1′, R3′ could have fewer containers each than one or more inner row(s) R2′ respectively nested with the outer rows. Exemplary variations could include outer row(s) R1′, R3′ having seven containers each and an inner row R2′ having eight containers, outer rows R1′, R3′ having four containers each and an inner row R2′ having five containers, etc. Other nested (e.g., fully nested arrangements, internal nested arrangements, and/or other arrangements) or non-nested arrangements of the containers including bottles B or cans C could be provided without departing from the disclosure. Alternative nested arrangements can include different numbers of rows with some or all of the rows being nested with adjacent rows (e.g., 8×7×8×7×8, 5×6×5×6, 3×4×3×4×3×4×3, 4×4×3×4, 5×6×6×5, and 8×7×7×8 arrangements).

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the containers C of the arrangement 100 can be nested so that the arrangement has different widths (e.g., the arrangement can have widths X1, X2, X3 or other suitable widths). As shown in FIG. 2A, the containers C can be positioned in the arrangement 100 so that each of the containers C is in contact with the respectively adjacent containers C. In one embodiment, the distance between the centers of each container C can be spaced from the centers of the respectively adjacent containers by approximately the diameter DC of the containers C. Accordingly, in FIG. 2A, the spacing between the centers of each set of three adjacent containers C generally forms an equilateral triangle.

Alternatively, as shown by way of example in FIG. 2B, the containers C can be disposed in the arrangement 100 so that each container C is spaced apart from the respectively adjacent container(s) C in the same row while being in contact with the respectively adjacent container(s) C in the respectfully adjacent row(s). In one embodiment, the spacing of the containers in each row can allow closer nesting between containers in adjacent rows (e.g., the containers C in the inner row R2 can nest farther between the respective containers C in the outer rows R1, R3). Accordingly, the width X2 of the arrangement 100 in FIG. 2B can be less than the width X1 of the arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2B, the center of each container C is spaced from the center of a contacting container C in an adjacent row by the diameter DC of the containers, and the center of each container C is spaced from the center of each adjacent container in the same row by a distance D1 that is greater than the distance DC. Accordingly, in FIG. 2B the spacing between the centers of each set of three adjacent containers C generally forms an isosceles triangle (e.g., two sides having a length of the diameter DC and one side having a length D1).

In another alternative, the containers C can be disposed in the arrangement 100 so that the containers C in each row R1, R2, R3 are less tightly nested with the containers C in the respectfully adjacent rows as shown by way of example in FIG. 2C. For example, the containers C in the inner row R2 can be shifted with respect to the outer rows R1, R3 with respect to the relative positions of the containers C in FIG. 2A. In the illustrated embodiment, the looser nesting of the containers C in FIG. 2C can result in the arrangement 100 have a width X3 that is wider than the widths X1, X2 of FIGS. 2A and 2B. Similarly to FIG. 2B, the spacing between the centers of each set of three adjacent containers C generally forms an isosceles triangle wherein two sides having a length of the diameter DC and one side having a length D2. The distance D2 is greater than the diameter DC in the illustrated embodiment.

The containers C are nested in the arrangement 100′ in a similar manner in FIGS. 3A-3C as the respective FIGS. 2A-2C. However, in contrast to the nesting described in relation to FIG. 2C, the containers C in the outer rows R1′, R3′ in FIG. 3C are shifted in opposite directions with respect to the inner row R2′. The containers C could be positioned with any suitable degree of nesting in the arrangements 100, 100′ and/or other arrangements without departing from the disclosure. For example, the containers C could be disposed in either arrangement 100, 100′ with uneven spacing and/or shifting. In one embodiment, some the containers in an arrangement could be spaced similarly to the variations shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B and other containers in the arrangement could be shifted similarly to the variations shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C.

In the illustrated embodiment, the widths X1, X2, X3 are less than 3 times the diameter DC of the containers for the arrangements 100, 100′ having three rows R1, R2, R3. More generally, an arrangement having a number of rows R (e.g., R equals 3 in FIG. 2A) can have a load width X (e.g., as measured from the outermost edge of the outer row R1 or R1′ to the outermost edge of the outer row R3 or R3′ as shown in FIGS. 2A-3C) that is less than the number of rows R times the diameter DC according to the expression:
R*DC>X  (1)
In a particular embodiment, the load width X of the arrangement in inches can be less than the difference found by subtracting a subtrahend of an eighth of an inch from the diameter DC in inches and then multiplying that difference by the number of rows R as shown in the expression:

R * ( D C - 1 8 ) > X ( 2 )
In a further particular embodiment, the load width X in inches could also be greater than the difference resulting from subtracting a subtrahend of a half of an inch from the diameter DC in inches and then multiplying the difference by the number of rows R as shown by the expression:

R * ( D C - 1 8 ) > X > R * ( D C - 1 2 ) ( 3 )
The arrangements 100, 100′ could have other load widths without departing from the disclosure. For example, the first subtrahend of an eighth of an inch in expressions 2 and 3 and the second subtrahend of a half an inch in expression three could be any suitable number.

In an exemplary embodiment, the containers in the arrangement 100 or 100′ could be cans C having a diameter DC of approximately 2.6 inches. Accordingly, the load width X of the arrangements 100, 100′ could be less than approximately 7.4 inches and could be more than approximately 6.3 inches according to expression 3 in the exemplary embodiment. In another example, twenty three of the same cans C could be disposed in a 5×4×5×4×5 nested arrangement wherein the load width X of the arrangement can be less than approximately 12.4 inches and can be more than approximately 10.5 inches according to expression 3. In another example, the containers in the arrangement 100 or 100′ could be bottles B having a diameter DB of approximately 2.4 inches. Accordingly, the load width X of the arrangement 100, 100′ could be less than approximately 6.8 inches and could be more than approximately 5.7 inches according to expression 3. Other examples are within the scope of the disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the containers C in the arrangement 100 can be disposed in the interior 128 of a carton 110 as shown in FIGS. 6-9. As shown in FIG. 5, the carton 100 can include a first panel 112, a second panel 114, a third panel 116, and a fourth panel 118. The panels 112, 114, 116, 118 can extend around the interior 128 of the carton 110 and can be respectively foldably connected to one another along respective fold lines as shown in FIGS. 5-9. In one embodiment, the carton 110 can include end flaps respectively foldably connected to the panels 112, 114, 116, 118 at each end 130, 132 of the carton. As shown in FIG. 5, the carton 110 can include at one end 130 a first end flap 120 foldably connected to the first panel 112, a second end flap 122 foldably connected to the second panel 114, a third end flap 124 foldably connected to the third panel 116, and a fourth end flap 126 foldably connected to the fourth panel 118. The opposing end 132 of the carton 110 can include similar or identical end flaps (not shown). The carton 110 could be any suitable carton for holding the containers in one of the arrangements 100, 100′ or in another suitable arrangement, including but not limited to the cartons described in the incorporated-by-reference U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/148,189, 15/097,618, 14/718,361, and 14/286,343 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/179,446, 61/997,147, 61/956,388, and 61/855,819.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second and fourth panels 114, 118 can be disposed opposite to one another and can be spaced apart by an inner width W, and the first and third panels 112 can be disposed opposite to one another and can be spaced apart by an inner height H. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner height H of the carton 110 can be similar to or slightly greater than the height HC of the containers C (FIG. 1A). Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the inner width W of the carton 110 can be the same as or similar to the load width X of the arrangement 100 (e.g., according to the expression 3). In one embodiment, the containers C could be nested in the arrangement 100 as shown in FIG. 2A having a load width X1.

As shown in FIGS. 6-8, the arrangement 100 can be aligned with the end 130 of the carton 110 and inserted through the end 130 into the interior 128 of the carton so that the containers C are disposed in the interior 128 in the arrangement 100. Alternatively, the arrangement 100′ or another suitable arrangement having any suitable load width X (e.g., as determined by the expression 3) could be inserted into the carton 110.

As shown in FIG. 9, the end 130 of the carton 110 can be closed by overlapping the end flaps 120, 122, 124, 126 with respect to one another over the end 130. For example, the end flaps 122, 126 can be folded over the open end of the carton, and the end flaps 120, 124 can be folded over the end and the end flaps 122, 126. The end flaps 120, 124 can overlap the end flaps 122, 126 and/or one another at the closed end 130. In one embodiment, the end flaps 120, 122, 124, 126 can be at least partially glued or otherwise secured to one another at the closed end 130. The opposing end 132 can be closed in a similar or the same manner as the end 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, the combination of the containers C held in the carton 110 forms a package 140 (FIGS. 8 and 9). The containers C could be otherwise loaded into the carton and/or the ends 130, 132 of the carton 110 could be otherwise closed without departing from the disclosure. For example, the arrangement 100 could be loaded into the interior 128 before or after either of the ends 130, 132 is closed. In addition, the containers C could be arranged in the arrangement 100 before, during, or after loading the containers into the interior.

In one embodiment, the rows R1, R2, R3 of the arrangement 100 could be considered to include a first row extending along a first panel (e.g., outer row R1 adjacent the panel 118), a second row extending along a second panel (e.g., the outer row R3 adjacent the panel 114), and a third row nested with the first and second rows (e.g., the inner row R2 nested with the outer rows R1, R3). The outer row R1 can have at least one more container C than the inner row R2, and the inner row R2 can be spaced from the panel 118 by at least the outer row R1. Additionally, the outer row R3 can have at least one more container C than the inner row R2, the outer row R3 can be spaced from the outer row R1 by at least the inner row R2, and the inner row R2 can be spaced from the panel 114 by at least the outer row R3. In one embodiment, the rows R1′, R2′, R3′ of the arrangement 100′ can be similarly or identically arranged.

Since, in the illustrated embodiment, the inner row R2 has one fewer container C than the outer rows R1, R3 in the arrangement 100, the containers C at the ends of the inner row R2 are spaced apart from the closed ends 130, 132 of the carton 110. In one embodiment, the containers C at the ends of the outer rows R1, R3 can be disposed against or adjacent to the closed ends 130, 132. With respect to the arrangement 100′, the containers C at the ends of the outer rows R1′, R3′ can be spaced from the closed ends 130, 132 in the carton 110 since the outer rows have one fewer container C than the inner row R2′. The containers C at the ends of the inner row R2′ can be disposed in engagement with or adjacent to the closed ends 130, 132 in one embodiment. Any or all of the rows R1, R2, R3 or the rows R1′, R2′, R3′ could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.

In one embodiment, the arrangements 100, 100′ and/or other suitable nested arrangements of containers (e.g., having a load width X according to expression 3) can provide a more compact packaging configuration than non-nested arrangements. For example, a carton accommodating a non-nested arrangement having R rows would have an inner width of R times the diameter DC of the containers in the arrangement, while the nested arrangements according the present disclosure can be accommodated in a carton having an inner loading width that is similar or identical to the load width X according to the expression 3. In addition, the nesting of the containers C in the arrangements 100, 100′ can help retain the containers C in position in the interior of the carton, while containers in non-nested arrangements could be more likely to move relative one another (e.g., due to loose packaging in the container) in one embodiment. A further advantage of the nested arrangements can include the interior space provided at the ends of a carton (e.g., the closed ends 130, 132 of the carton 110) by the shorter rows of the nested arrangement (e.g., the inner row R2 or the outer rows R1′, R3′ of the arrangements 100, 100′). Such interior space can provide clearance for grasping a handle (not shown) or actuating a dispenser (not shown) in the carton. Other advantages are within the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of an arrangement 200 of the containers C according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. The second embodiment is generally similar to the first embodiment, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG. 10, the arrangement 200 can be in a 4×3×4×3×4 configuration. Stated another way, the arrangement 200 can have three rows R1, R3, R5 with four containers C each and two rows R2, R4 with three containers C each wherein the row R2 is nested with the rows R1, R3, and the row R4 is nested with the rows R3, R5. In the illustrated embodiment, the width X4 of the arrangement 200 can be determined according to the expression 3 (or the expression 1 or 2) wherein the number of rows R is five. For example, the containers C could be cans having a diameter of approximately 2.6 inches, and the width X4 could be less than approximately 12.4 inches and greater than approximately 10.5 inches in one embodiment. The width of the arrangement 200 can vary (e.g., due to spacing between containers and/or shifting of rows) as described in the first embodiment (e.g., with respect to FIGS. 2A-3C).

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the arrangement 200 can be loaded into a carton 210 to form a package 240 (FIGS. 12 and 13). The carton 210 can have an interior 228 that is at least partially defined by a first panel 212, a second panel 214, a third panel 216, and a fourth panel 218. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the carton (e.g., the spacing between the panels 214, 218) can be similar to or the same as the width X4 of the arrangement 200. The ends 230, 232 of the carton 210 can be closed by overlapping the end flaps 220, 222, 224, 226 over the respective ends 230, 232 (FIG. 13). The carton 210 could be otherwise formed and/or the containers C could be otherwise loaded into the interior 228 of the carton without departing from the disclosure. The carton 210 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 14, the containers C could be disposed in an alternative arrangement 200′ (e.g., an externally nested arrangement). In the illustrated embodiment, the arrangement 200′ is in a 3×4×3×4×3 configuration wherein three rows R1′, R3′, R5′ have three containers C each and two rows R2′, R4′ have four containers C each. As shown in FIG. 14, the innermost row R3′ is nested with the inner rows R2′, R4′, which are respectfully nested with the outer rows R1′, R5′. In one embodiment, the arrangement 200′ can have a width X4 as determined according to one of the expressions 1-3. Any or all of the rows R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 or the rows R1′, R2′, R3′, R4′, R5′ could be omitted or could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a schematic top view of an arrangement 300 of the containers C according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. The third embodiment is generally similar to the first and second embodiments, except for variations noted and variations that will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, similar or identical features of the embodiments have been given like or similar reference numbers. As shown in FIG. 15, the arrangement 300 can be in a 4×3×3×4 configuration. Stated another way, the arrangement 300 can have two outer rows R1″, R4″ of four containers C each and two inner rows R2″, R3″ of three containers C each wherein each of the inner rows R2″, R3″ is nested with the respective outer rows R1″, R4″. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner rows R2″, R3″ can be generally aligned with one another so that the inner rows are not nested with one another. In one embodiment, the width X5 of the arrangement 300 can be determined according to one of the expressions 1-3. For example, the width of the arrangement could be less than approximately 9.9 inches and more than approximately 8.4 inches for containers C having a diameter DC of 2.6 inches. The arrangement 300 could be otherwise shaped, arranged, configured, and/or positioned without departing from the disclosure.

FIGS. 16A-19C and the above incorporated-by-reference applications show exemplary arrangements including fully nested arrangements, internal nested arrangements, and other arrangements of containers that could be used with the illustrated embodiments and/or other non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure. Additionally, the above incorporated-by-reference applications show alternative carton arrangements that could be incorporated into the above embodiments or other embodiments. Further, the containers C could be disposed in multiple layers (e.g., stacked) in the illustrated embodiments and/or other non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

Any of the features of the various embodiments of the disclosure can be combined with, replaced by, or otherwise configured with other features of other embodiments of the disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, it is noted that the nesting arrangements of the various embodiments can be incorporated into a carton having any carton style or panel configuration. The carton styles and panel configurations described above are included by way of example, and the cartons in the illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments can be sized and shaped accordingly to accommodate the arrangement of the containers B or C.

The blanks according to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be, for example, formed from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the interior and/or exterior sides of the blank can be coated with a clay coating. The clay coating may then be printed over with product, advertising, price coding, and other information or images. The blank may then be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. The blank may also be coated with, for example, a moisture barrier layer, on either or both sides of the blank. In accordance with the above-described embodiments, the blank may be constructed of paperboard of a caliper such that it is heavier and more rigid than ordinary paper. The blank can also be constructed of other materials, such as cardboard, hard paper, or any other material having properties suitable for enabling the carton to function at least generally as described herein. The blank can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials at selected panels or panel sections.

In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, a fold line can be any substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form of weakening that facilitates folding therealong. More specifically, but not for the purpose of narrowing the scope of the present disclosure, fold lines include: a score line, such as lines formed with a blunt scoring knife, or the like, which creates a crushed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness; a cut that extends partially into a material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of cuts that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness; and various combinations of these features.

As an example, a tear line can include: a slit that extends partially into the material along the desired line of weakness, and/or a series of spaced apart slits that extend partially into and/or completely through the material along the desired line of weakness, or various combinations of these features. As a more specific example, one type tear line is in the form of a series of spaced apart slits that extend completely through the material, with adjacent slits being spaced apart slightly so that a nick (e.g., a small somewhat bridging-like piece of the material) is defined between the adjacent slits for typically temporarily connecting the material across the tear line. The nicks are broken during tearing along the tear line. The nicks typically are a relatively small percentage of the tear line, and alternatively the nicks can be omitted from or torn in a tear line such that the tear line is a continuous cut line. That is, it is within the scope of the present disclosure for each of the tear lines to be replaced with a continuous slit, or the like. For example, a cut line can be a continuous slit or could be wider than a slit without departing from the present disclosure.

The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels adhered together by glue during erection of the carton embodiments. The term “glue” is intended to encompass all manner of adhesives commonly used to secure carton panels in place.

The foregoing description of the disclosure illustrates and describes various exemplary embodiments. Various additions, modifications, changes, etc., could be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only selected embodiments of the disclosure, but the disclosure is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. Furthermore, certain features and characteristics of each embodiment may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

obtaining a carton comprising a plurality of panels extending at least partially around an interior of the carton, the plurality of panels comprising at least a first panel and a second panel disposed opposite to one another;
obtaining a plurality of containers, each container in the plurality of containers comprising a diameter and a center, the diameter of each container is between 1 and 4 inches;
forming an arrangement by positioning the containers into a number of rows, the number of rows in the arrangement comprising a plurality of rows, the positioning the containers into the number of rows comprising forming at least a first row and a second row, the forming the arrangement comprising forming a load width of the arrangement, wherein the load width extends from an outermost edge of the first row to an outermost edge of the second row, the load width being less than the number of rows multiplied by a first difference determined by subtracting about an eighth of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement, and the load width being greater than the number of rows multiplied by a second difference determined by subtracting about a half of an inch from the diameter of the containers in the arrangement, wherein the center of each container is spaced apart from the center of at least one adjacent container by a distance that is greater than the diameter of the containers; and
loading the arrangement at least partially into the interior of the carton after the forming the arrangement so that the first row extends along the first panel and the second row extends along the second panel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises an inner width extending from the first panel to the second panel, and the inner width is approximately equal to the load width of the arrangement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the positioning the containers into the number of rows further comprises forming a third row, the third row being spaced apart from the first panel and the second panel by at least the first row and the second row after the loading the arrangement.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the forming the arrangement further comprises nesting the third row with the first row and the second row, and wherein the number of rows is three so that the load width is less than three multiplied by the first difference and is greater than three multiplied by the second difference.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning the containers into the number of rows further comprises forming a third row that is at least partially nested with at least one of the first row and the second row.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning the containers into the number of rows further comprises forming a third row, and at least one of the first row and the second row comprises one more container than the third row.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the forming the arrangement further comprises nesting the third row at least partially with at least one of the first row and the second row.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning the containers into the number of rows further comprises forming a third row and a fourth row, the forming the arrangement further comprises nesting the third row at least partially with at least the first row and nesting the fourth row at least partially with the second row.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning the containers comprises positioning at least one container of each row of the plurality of rows in contact with at least one container in each respectively adjacent row of the plurality of rows.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the loading the arrangement comprises inserting the arrangement through one open end of the carton.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
902347 October 1908 Tillinghast
1541143 June 1925 Hoile
1913650 June 1933 White
1925102 September 1933 Levkoff
2115673 April 1938 Stompe
2124808 July 1938 White et al.
D124610 January 1941 Norton
2448819 September 1948 Mitchell
2535880 December 1950 Tomkins
2554190 May 1951 Hennessey
2605035 July 1952 Williamson
2718301 September 1955 Palmer
2718313 September 1955 O'Neil
2723027 November 1955 Guyer
2754047 July 1956 Schmidt et al.
2756553 July 1956 Ferguson
2782578 February 1957 Madden
2783690 March 1957 Crary et al.
2796709 June 1957 Bolding
2798603 July 1957 Grinspoon
2800224 July 1957 Taylor et al.
2842304 July 1958 Ringler
2849111 August 1958 Fielding
2854183 September 1958 Srofe
2868431 January 1959 Painter
2891361 June 1959 Walter
RE24667 July 1959 Fielding
2919844 January 1960 Anderson, Jr.
2922561 January 1960 Currivan
2928541 March 1960 Fielding
2929497 March 1960 De Million-Czarnecki
2930516 March 1960 Fowle et al.
2974848 March 1961 Fielding
2975891 March 1961 Stone
2990097 June 1961 Thompson
3002651 October 1961 Gauld
3018031 January 1962 Ahlbor et al.
3060659 October 1962 Blais
3080050 March 1963 Fielding
3176902 April 1965 Champlin
3178242 April 1965 Ellis
3207411 September 1965 Farquhar
3228582 January 1966 Osberg
3237762 March 1966 Wood
3252649 May 1966 Graser et al.
3263861 August 1966 Carr
3265283 August 1966 Farquhar
RE26083 September 1966 Forrer
3300115 January 1967 Schauer
3306519 February 1967 Wood
3332594 July 1967 Capua
3339723 September 1967 Wood
3343660 September 1967 Bailey
3356279 December 1967 Root
3356283 December 1967 Champlin
3373867 March 1968 Wood
3429496 February 1969 Hickin
3447672 June 1969 Bailey et al.
3517858 June 1970 Farquhar
3540581 November 1970 Koolnis
3541757 November 1970 Bertrand
3557521 January 1971 Pierce, Jr.
3592000 July 1971 Kapare
3593849 July 1971 Helms
3599858 August 1971 Samsing
3635452 January 1972 Helms
3669251 June 1972 Phillips
3669342 June 1972 Funkhouser
3669343 June 1972 Howard
3688972 September 1972 Mahon
3747835 July 1973 Graser
3765527 October 1973 Vargo
3767042 October 1973 Ganz
3807624 April 1974 Funkhouser
3894681 July 1975 Arneson et al.
3904036 September 1975 Forrer
3913739 October 1975 Hennessey
3942631 March 9, 1976 Sutherland et al.
3963121 June 15, 1976 Kipp
3986319 October 19, 1976 Puskarz
4000811 January 4, 1977 Hardinson et al.
4004500 January 25, 1977 Wood
D243508 March 1, 1977 Killy
4010593 March 8, 1977 Graham
4030596 June 21, 1977 Snyder et al.
4096985 June 27, 1978 Wood
4098050 July 4, 1978 Dietz
4101069 July 18, 1978 Wood
4149355 April 17, 1979 Clegg
D252259 July 3, 1979 Rinehart
4195765 April 1, 1980 Roccaforte et al.
4200220 April 29, 1980 Ganz
4202446 May 13, 1980 Sutherland
4214660 July 29, 1980 Hunt, Jr.
4216861 August 12, 1980 Oliff
4222485 September 16, 1980 Focke
D261861 November 17, 1981 Carter
D263204 March 2, 1982 Dutcher
4318474 March 9, 1982 Hasegawa
4325482 April 20, 1982 Feeser
4328893 May 11, 1982 Oliff et al.
4364509 December 21, 1982 Holley, Jr. et al.
4375258 March 1, 1983 Crayne et al.
D269068 May 24, 1983 Mann et al.
4394903 July 26, 1983 Bakx
D270041 August 9, 1983 Vestal
4396143 August 2, 1983 Killy
4416410 November 22, 1983 Herrmann
4417655 November 29, 1983 Forbes, Jr.
4417661 November 29, 1983 Roccaforte
4421232 December 20, 1983 Konaka
4424901 January 10, 1984 Lanier
4440340 April 3, 1984 Bakx
4465180 August 14, 1984 Klygis
4482090 November 13, 1984 Milliens
4498581 February 12, 1985 Dutcher
4508258 April 2, 1985 Graser
4519182 May 28, 1985 Lever et al.
4523676 June 18, 1985 Barrash
4566593 January 28, 1986 Muller
4577762 March 25, 1986 Kuchenbecker
4582199 April 15, 1986 Schuster
D286987 December 2, 1986 Golan et al.
4726471 February 23, 1988 Whately et al.
4735315 April 5, 1988 Oliff et al.
4742915 May 10, 1988 Ringer
4747485 May 31, 1988 Chaussadas
4747487 May 31, 1988 Wood
4756139 July 12, 1988 Le Bras
4756419 July 12, 1988 Le Bras
4784266 November 15, 1988 Chaussadas
4785991 November 22, 1988 Schuster
4804089 February 14, 1989 Wilson
4817797 April 4, 1989 Hamelin
D303090 August 29, 1989 Armor et al.
4860943 August 29, 1989 Cooper
4860944 August 29, 1989 Wonnacott
4875585 October 24, 1989 Kadleck et al.
4890440 January 2, 1990 Romagnoli
4901849 February 20, 1990 Wilson
4919266 April 24, 1990 McIntosh, Jr. et al.
4949845 August 21, 1990 Dixon
4966324 October 30, 1990 Steel
4972991 November 27, 1990 Schuster
4974771 December 4, 1990 Lavery
4981253 January 1, 1991 Quaintenance
5000313 March 19, 1991 Oliff
5002186 March 26, 1991 Cooper
5031825 July 16, 1991 Romagnoli
5042660 August 27, 1991 Carver
5060792 October 29, 1991 Oliff
5067615 November 26, 1991 Davitian
5094347 March 10, 1992 Schuster
5101642 April 7, 1992 Alexandrov
5107986 April 28, 1992 Cooper
5123589 June 23, 1992 Cote
5131588 July 21, 1992 Oliff
5137211 August 11, 1992 Summer et al.
5170934 December 15, 1992 Lemoine
5180100 January 19, 1993 Shimizu
D332915 February 2, 1993 Hoell et al.
5195676 March 23, 1993 LeBras
5197656 March 30, 1993 Hoell et al.
5246112 September 21, 1993 Stout et al.
5277360 January 11, 1994 DeMott
5279440 January 18, 1994 Fougeres et al.
5284292 February 8, 1994 Johnson
5297673 March 29, 1994 Sutherland
5333734 August 2, 1994 Stout et al.
5351878 October 4, 1994 Cooper
5368194 November 29, 1994 Oliff et al.
5395043 March 7, 1995 Bacques et al.
5421458 June 6, 1995 Campbell
5427242 June 27, 1995 Oliff et al.
D360131 July 11, 1995 Tudor
5443203 August 22, 1995 Sutherland
D364087 November 14, 1995 Farle
5465831 November 14, 1995 Smith
5472090 December 5, 1995 Sutherland
5472138 December 5, 1995 Ingram
5485915 January 23, 1996 Harris
5505372 April 9, 1996 Edson et al.
5518111 May 21, 1996 Stout
5536194 July 16, 1996 Larsen
5542536 August 6, 1996 Sutherland
5551556 September 3, 1996 Sutherland
5558212 September 24, 1996 Sutherland
5558213 September 24, 1996 Sutherland
5595339 January 21, 1997 Correll
5597071 January 28, 1997 Sutherland
5609251 March 11, 1997 Harris
5622309 April 22, 1997 Matsuda et al.
5664401 September 9, 1997 Portrait et al.
5664683 September 9, 1997 Brody
5682995 November 4, 1997 Sutherland
5690213 November 25, 1997 Matsumura
5692614 December 2, 1997 Harris
5704470 January 6, 1998 Sutherland
5704542 January 6, 1998 Harrelson
5722584 March 3, 1998 Fujiwara
D393800 April 28, 1998 Harrison
5765685 June 16, 1998 Roosa
5775574 July 7, 1998 Whitnell
5778630 July 14, 1998 Portrait et al.
5782343 July 21, 1998 Harrelson
5826712 October 27, 1998 Aikio
5826783 October 27, 1998 Stout
5833118 November 10, 1998 Weiss
5853088 December 29, 1998 Saulas et al.
5855318 January 5, 1999 Baxter
5865312 February 2, 1999 Stall
5873515 February 23, 1999 Dunn et al.
5875961 March 2, 1999 Stone et al.
5878947 March 9, 1999 Hoy et al.
5881884 March 16, 1999 Podosek
5915546 June 29, 1999 Harrelson
5921398 July 13, 1999 Carroll
5924559 July 20, 1999 Carrel et al.
5931300 August 3, 1999 Sutherland
5937620 August 17, 1999 Chalendar
5941453 August 24, 1999 Oliff
5943847 August 31, 1999 Chalendar
5947367 September 7, 1999 Miller et al.
5975286 November 2, 1999 Oliff
6019220 February 1, 2000 Sutherland
6021898 February 8, 2000 Sutherland
6021899 February 8, 2000 Sutherland
6039181 March 21, 2000 Whiteside
6085969 July 11, 2000 Burgoyne
6105338 August 22, 2000 Kalany
6105854 August 22, 2000 Spivey
6109438 August 29, 2000 Sutherland
6155480 December 5, 2000 Botsford et al.
6158586 December 12, 2000 Muller
D436859 January 30, 2001 Botsford et al.
6176419 January 23, 2001 Holley, Jr.
6227367 May 8, 2001 Harrelson et al.
6241083 June 5, 2001 Harrelson
D446114 August 7, 2001 Stephens
6283293 September 4, 2001 Lingamfelter
6289651 September 18, 2001 Le Bras
6315123 November 13, 2001 Ikeda
D454784 March 26, 2002 Oram
6378697 April 30, 2002 Sutherland et al.
6378765 April 30, 2002 Sutherland
6386369 May 14, 2002 Yuhas et al.
6409077 June 25, 2002 Telesca et al.
6435351 August 20, 2002 Gibb
6478219 November 12, 2002 Holley, Jr.
6550615 April 22, 2003 Linghamfelter
6550616 April 22, 2003 Le Bras
6578736 June 17, 2003 Spivey
6631803 October 14, 2003 Rhodes et al.
6688839 February 10, 2004 Hirschek
6715639 April 6, 2004 Spivey
6752262 June 22, 2004 Boriani et al.
6789673 September 14, 2004 Lingamfelter
6811525 November 2, 2004 Culpepper
6866185 March 15, 2005 Harrelson
6866186 March 15, 2005 Fogle et al.
6948651 September 27, 2005 Ikeda
6981631 January 3, 2006 Fogle et al.
6988617 January 24, 2006 Gomes et al.
7000803 February 21, 2006 Miller
7007800 March 7, 2006 Le Bras
7025197 April 11, 2006 Sutherland
7048113 May 23, 2006 Gomes
7100798 September 5, 2006 Spivey
7159759 January 9, 2007 Sutherland
7175020 February 13, 2007 Sutherland et al.
7237674 July 3, 2007 Auclair
7427010 September 23, 2008 Sutherland
7448492 November 11, 2008 Sutherland
7644817 January 12, 2010 Sutherland
7677387 March 16, 2010 Brand et al.
7762395 July 27, 2010 Sutherland et al.
7762397 July 27, 2010 Coltri-Johnson et al.
7766219 August 3, 2010 Gomes et al.
D628882 December 14, 2010 Work
7870993 January 18, 2011 Walling
7913844 March 29, 2011 Spivey, Sr.
D636663 April 26, 2011 Work
7975841 July 12, 2011 Marco
D645739 September 27, 2011 Ross
D646157 October 4, 2011 Work
D655600 March 13, 2012 Work
8235201 August 7, 2012 Miller
D668540 October 9, 2012 Lutzig
8347591 January 8, 2013 Coltri-Johnson
8376213 February 19, 2013 Brand
8439254 May 14, 2013 Smalley
D704049 May 6, 2014 Ridenour
D705054 May 20, 2014 McCarthy
8800852 August 12, 2014 Schemmel et al.
D715638 October 21, 2014 Wollschleger
8875869 November 4, 2014 Burchell
D729060 May 12, 2015 Trombetta
D747966 January 26, 2016 McClaughry
D748975 February 9, 2016 McClaughry
D760072 June 28, 2016 Lutz
9392888 July 19, 2016 Spivey, Sr.
9415915 August 16, 2016 Spivey, Sr. et al.
9434520 September 6, 2016 Bates
9452874 September 27, 2016 Harrelson
D781142 March 14, 2017 Trujillo
D793224 August 1, 2017 Sagardoy Muniesa
9845182 December 19, 2017 Baldino
D811218 February 27, 2018 Baldino
20020070139 June 13, 2002 Bates
20020088820 July 11, 2002 Spivey
20020088821 July 11, 2002 Spivey et al.
20020185527 December 12, 2002 Bates
20030000182 January 2, 2003 Portrait et al.
20030132130 July 17, 2003 Bras
20030141353 July 31, 2003 Wilson
20030192905 October 16, 2003 Spivey
20040000582 January 1, 2004 Sutherland
20040011674 January 22, 2004 Theelen
20040060972 April 1, 2004 Harrelson
20040069659 April 15, 2004 Sutherland
20040089671 May 13, 2004 Miller
20040099542 May 27, 2004 Sutherland
20040099558 May 27, 2004 Oliff et al.
20040164133 August 26, 2004 Harrelson
20040188277 September 30, 2004 Auclair
20040188301 September 30, 2004 Gomes
20040232034 November 25, 2004 Lebras
20040243277 December 2, 2004 Bonnain et al.
20040254666 December 16, 2004 Bonnain et al.
20050001020 January 6, 2005 Gamier
20050087592 April 28, 2005 Schuster
20050103652 May 19, 2005 Wilkins
20050167290 August 4, 2005 Sutherland
20050178687 August 18, 2005 Spivey, Sr.
20050178791 August 18, 2005 Miller
20050194430 September 8, 2005 Auclair et al.
20050263574 December 1, 2005 Schuster
20060000881 January 5, 2006 Sutherland
20060108406 May 25, 2006 Stewart et al.
20060157545 July 20, 2006 Auclair
20060191811 August 31, 2006 Fogle et al.
20060231604 October 19, 2006 DeBusk
20060254942 November 16, 2006 Cargile, Jr.
20060255108 November 16, 2006 Shmagin
20060261140 November 23, 2006 Holley, Jr.
20070017829 January 25, 2007 Sutherland
20070131748 June 14, 2007 Brand
20070158226 July 12, 2007 Coltri-Johnson et al.
20070227927 October 4, 2007 Coltri-Johnson
20070241017 October 18, 2007 Sutherland et al.
20080237320 October 2, 2008 Philips
20080257943 October 23, 2008 Blin
20100044420 February 25, 2010 Brand et al.
20100051494 March 4, 2010 DeBusk
20100072267 March 25, 2010 May et al.
20110036902 February 17, 2011 Smalley
20110131926 June 9, 2011 Coltri-Johnson
20110284624 November 24, 2011 DeBusk et al.
20120091190 April 19, 2012 Smalley et al.
20130213991 August 22, 2013 Harrelson
20130264379 October 10, 2013 Schemmel et al.
20140284237 September 25, 2014 Gosset
20140311091 October 23, 2014 Moncrief
20150251828 September 10, 2015 Spivey, Sr. et al.
20160167829 June 16, 2016 Spivey, Sr. et al.
20160194106 July 7, 2016 Walling
20160231604 August 11, 2016 Lin et al.
20160244202 August 25, 2016 Alexander et al.
20160272393 September 22, 2016 Kastanek et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
671 762 March 1966 BE
2 172 379 December 1995 CA
2 542 350 May 2005 CA
1 192 099 April 1965 DE
2 323 589 November 1974 DE
75 10 538 August 1975 DE
76 06 493 June 1976 DE
29 33 022 February 1980 DE
30 07 769 September 1981 DE
81 35 176 May 1982 DE
G 85 14 718.4 June 1985 DE
G 86 29 664.7 May 1987 DE
36 12 594 October 1987 DE
91 04 905.9 June 1991 DE
40 23 043 December 1991 DE
92 03 858.1 May 1992 DE
94 12 885 October 1994 DE
94 13 813 October 1994 DE
295 19 931 February 1996 DE
296 02 010 March 1996 DE
299 09 008 September 1999 DE
29913585 October 1999 DE
694 21 620 April 2000 DE
0 235 852 September 1987 EP
0 323 596 July 1988 EP
0 341 089 November 1989 EP
0 342 088 November 1989 EP
0 459 658 December 1991 EP
0 475 147 March 1992 EP
0 509 749 October 1992 EP
0 520 411 December 1992 EP
0 752 370 January 1997 EP
0 849 189 June 1998 EP
0 899 200 March 1999 EP
1 060 998 December 2000 EP
1 262 417 December 2002 EP
1 334 033 January 2006 EP
1 612 157 January 2006 EP
1 518 792 May 2011 EP
2 557 049 May 2016 EP
2 456 039 December 1980 FR
2 549 010 January 1985 FR
2 581 970 November 1986 FR
2 698 074 May 1994 FR
41-18199 October 1941 JP
5-112373 May 1993 JP
9-507821 August 1997 JP
2003-252323 September 2003 JP
10-2009-0079640 July 2009 KR
WO 88/09750 December 1988 WO
WO 89/12008 December 1989 WO
WO 95/01284 January 1995 WO
WO 95/25668 September 1995 WO
WO 96/14253 May 1996 WO
WO 96/29260 September 1996 WO
WO 97/21607 June 1997 WO
WO 97/27124 July 1997 WO
WO 98/31593 July 1998 WO
WO 98/38099 September 1998 WO
WO 99/64301 December 1999 WO
WO 00/23334 April 2000 WO
WO 00/71428 November 2000 WO
WO 00/78634 December 2000 WO
WO 01/28871 April 2001 WO
WO 02/04302 January 2002 WO
WO 02/30785 April 2002 WO
WO 02/085739 October 2002 WO
WO-02085742 October 2002 WO
WO 02/102208 December 2002 WO
WO 03/008292 January 2003 WO
WO 03/082686 October 2003 WO
WO 2004/043790 May 2004 WO
WO 2004/087507 October 2004 WO
WO 2005/042370 May 2005 WO
WO 2005/092735 October 2005 WO
WO 2007/019000 February 2007 WO
WO 2007/126977 November 2007 WO
WO 2009/015320 January 2009 WO
WO 2013/170123 November 2013 WO
WO 2014-052514 April 2014 WO
WO 2014/172409 October 2014 WO
Other references
  • First Examination Report for New Zealand Application No. 713710 dated Nov. 3, 2017.
  • Supplementary European Search Report for EP 15 79 5428 dated Dec. 15, 2017.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2014/039351 dated Oct. 16, 2014.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion for PCT/US2015/0131904 dated Aug. 28, 2015.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Jun. 10, 2015.
  • Response to Restriction Requirement for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Jul. 27, 2015.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Oct. 7, 2015.
  • Amendment A and Response to Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Jan. 7, 2016.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Feb. 4, 2016.
  • Amendment B and Response to Final Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Apr. 6, 2016.
  • Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Apr. 29, 2016.
  • Supplementary European Search Report for EP 14 80 0400 dated Oct. 6, 2016.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/148,189 dated Oct. 18, 2016.
  • Response to Restriction Requirement for U.S. Appl. No. 15/148,189 dated Nov. 18, 2016.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/148,189 dated Jan. 30, 2017.
  • Amendment A and Response to Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 15/148,189 dated Apr. 25, 2017.
  • Issue Fee Transmittal for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Jul. 11, 2016.
  • Issue Notification for U.S. Appl. No. 14/286,343 dated Jul. 27, 2017.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/718,361 dated Aug. 17, 2016.
  • Response to Restriction Requirement for U.S. Appl. No. 14/718,361 dated Sep. 23, 2016.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/718,361 dated Oct. 26, 2016.
  • Amendment A and Response to Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/718,361 dated Jan. 26, 2017.
  • Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/718,361 dated Apr. 24, 2017.
  • Office Action for Chinese Application No. 201580027315.8 dated Jan. 4, 2019, with brief description in English.
Patent History
Patent number: 10384846
Type: Grant
Filed: Apr 21, 2017
Date of Patent: Aug 20, 2019
Patent Publication Number: 20170225858
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC (Atlanta, GA)
Inventors: Aaron Lee Bates (Kennesaw, GA), Raymond R. Spivey, Sr. (Mableton, GA)
Primary Examiner: Alexander M Valvis
Assistant Examiner: Lucas E. A. Palmer
Application Number: 15/493,747
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Plural Beverage-type Receptacles (206/427)
International Classification: B65D 71/36 (20060101); B65B 21/02 (20060101); B65B 5/02 (20060101); B65B 5/06 (20060101); B65D 5/42 (20060101); B65D 5/468 (20060101); B65B 21/06 (20060101); B65B 35/40 (20060101);